WASHINGTON (ABP) — Vice President Dick Cheney surprised many of his and President Bush's most conservative supporters by publicly differing with the president on the issue of same-sex marriage Aug. 24. The next day, Republican Party officials ratified platform language…
Second federal judge rules against ‘partial-birth’ abortion ban
NEW YORK (ABP) — A second federal judge has ruled against the government's ban on so-called “partial birth” abortions, saying the federal law passed by Congress last year is unconstitutional. The Aug. 26 ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Casey…
More Americans living in poverty, without insurance, census stats say
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The number of Americans living in poverty rose 3.4 percent last year, to 35.8 million people, while the number without health insurance climbed to 45.0 million, an increase of 1.4 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau….
Carson-Newman College mourns loss of student murdered in Senegal
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. (ABP) — An international student at Carson-Newman College died Aug. 23 from injuries she received in an attack on a street in Senegal. Du-Jae (D.J.) Lee was a Carson-Newman student for only a year, but she made…
Astros’ full-time chaplain sees star athletes as ‘somebody’s kids’
HOUSTON (ABP) — Gene Pemberton joined the Houston Astros staff in 1994 to help his old friend, Astros owner and Baptist layman Drayton McLane Jr., in community development. In that rile, he's made thousands of speeches to a wide variety…
Baylor student again takes gold in Olympic 400-meter race
ATHENS (ABP) — Jeremy Wariner, a junior at Baylor University, ran a personal best 44.00 to win the gold medal in the 400 meters and lead the United States to a sweep in the event at the Olympic Games Aug….
Supreme Court once again turns away pledge case
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court has declined to reconsider its decision in the controversial Pledge of Allegiance case from earlier this year. On Aug. 23, the justices turned down atheist Michael Newdow's request that they revisit their June decision…
Michigan, Louisiana authorities block proposals against gay marriage
WASHINGTON (ABP) — An elections panel in Michigan and a state judge in Louisiana have presented obstacles to gay-marriage bans in those states. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2 along party lines Aug. 23 when asked to certify…
Victim support group trains for next terrorist attack
DALLAS (ABP) — Victim Relief Ministries, a Dallas-based non-profit organization with Baptist ties, will have the lead role in mobilizing the country's faith community in the event of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty situation. At the request of the U.S….
American Baptists send funds for relief in Florida, Cuba
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — The American Baptist Churches USA has released a total of $17,500 for relief work in Florida and Cuba, parts of which were devastated by Hurricane Charley. The ABC's National Ministries office released $10,000 in disaster-relief…
Fellowship to focus hurricane relief in Florida’s DeSoto, Hardee counties
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (ABP) — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship relief efforts will be concentrated in two rural, inland Florida counties where rural and migrant populations were particularly hard hit by Hurricane Charley. “It looks like our focus will be on Hardee…
BGCT candidate would become first Hispanic president of Texas convention
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ABP) — Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas and current first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be nominated for president of the BGCT this fall. If elected, Reyes will…